Anime fans have come to expect their heroes to overcome all the odds and ultimately defeat even the toughest of enemies but in Naruto that wasn't always the case. Sometimes, fan-favorite heroes die and villains rule supreme.
This plays a pivotal role in creating the buildup to each fight scene in the show as fans never truly knew if their heroes would vanquish the enemy or be vanquished. It is because of this uncertainty that makes Naruto one of the best anime of all time.
10 Hidden Leaf Ninjas' Vs Kakashi And Rin
With his father's abandonment of his duties leaving the family in disgrace, Kakashi had no choice but to prove himself to be just as good if not better than his father. After his partner Rin was kidnapped by the Hidden Leaf Village in an attempt to make her into a jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, Kakashi managed to rescue her but as they fought, Rin committed suicide by standing in front of Kakashi's attack in order to prevent herself from being used as a weapon.
9 Hiruzen Vs Orochimaru
Orochimaru has always had an outward vendetta against Konoha ever since he first betrayed his home village and left to be a part of the assassins of Akatsuki. Hiruzen might not have been the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history but during his last battle, he showed the grit and determination that should be found in someone with such power. When Orochimaru attacked Konoha, Hiruzen stood his ground against his sinister foe but as Hiruzen fought bravely, he still was no match for Orochimaru's treachery.
8 Itachi Vs Kakashi
While Kakashi was an admirable and skilled warrior, few shinobi had a chance against Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. When Itachi and Kisame show up to Konoha in order to kidnap Naruto, Itachi is surprised to find Kakashi in his path.
Not wanting a protracted battle, Itachi tells Kisame to stand down and that he will take care of Kakashi with his Mangekyō Sharingan. Kakashi was able to use his own Sharingan to almost even the odds but eventually succumbed to Itachi's power.
7 Asuma Vs Hidan
Right before the fight between Asuma and Hidan, there was a sense of mystique around the Akatsuki. Especially after Itachi was able to outmatch Kakashi just using his Mangekyō Sharingan back in Konoha. So, when Asuma and Shikamaru first attempt to take down Hidan, there was a high level of unknown about the mysterious organization. Sadly, one of those things involved him being immortal and able to inflict mortal wounds just by licking someone's blood. Being uninformed of his enemy's true power led to Asuma's demise.
6 Kakashi Vs Pain
If there's one member of Akatsuki that other shinobi feared the most, it was Pain. For much of the series, he appeared to be the de facto leader of Akatsuki and was someone that even the strongest among their ranks obeyed. So, when Pain entered Konoha, it appeared no one could stand in his way. Like the hero he is, Kakashi just through sheer will almost overcome a clear power gap but in the end, Pain's power was just too strong.
5 Konan Vs Tobi
Since his introduction as a member of Akatsuki, Tobi has always been a bit of an unknown. For a time, he appeared to be only there for comic relief but that all turned out to be a mirage, as he was actually the puppet master that ran Akatsuki from the shadows. So, when Konan lost sight of Akatsuki's original purpose, it was Tobi who was her judge, jury, and executioner.
She put up a good fight but Tobi's fighting prowess and skills were just too much even for Konan.
4 Minato And Kushina Vs Nine Tails
When one thinks of a Hokage, they think of power. Minato didn't disappoint even when faced with overwhelming odds like taking on a giant demon beast attacking the city. With the help of his wife Kushina, he was able to injure Tobi, the shinobi controlling the beast but even without its master, the Nine-Tails was too powerful for any one shinobi. As a way of saving Konoha, Minato and Kushina trapped a part of the Nine-Tails in their son but at the cost of their lives.
3 Jiraiya Vs Pain
Oddly enough, it was Jiraiya's kindness that led to the creation of the assassin's for hire, Akatsuki's formation. As in his younger years, Jiraiya had helped raise and train Pain and his friends in order for them to protect Amegakure. However, once he left them, they became fanatics who sought peace through war. Jiraiya tried to right the wrong of leaving them to their fates by attempting to face and kill his former student Pain but ultimately was unsuccessful in his attempt.
2 Gaara Vs Deidara
The Akatsuki had lived in the shadows for so long that no one beyond their inner circle understood their agenda. They often used this to their advantage as no one was ever really sure what they wanted until it was gone.
When Deidara showed up in Sunagakure, Gaara was unaware of the true threat he was in until it was too late. After Gaara tried to use his sand to smother his enemy, he found himself stunned and helpless when Deidara planted explosives in his reserve.
1 Hinata Vs Neji
During the Chūnin Exams, the child prodigy of the Hyūga clan Neji looked to be a clear favorite to win. Since his level of ability and knowledge far surpassed any of the other students. His cousin Hinata was chosen to face him and thanks to Naruto cheering her on refused defeat even when Neji implored her to stand down. For a time, it looked like her will might get her across the finish line but ultimately, Neji's skills were just too much for her to handle.